Trustees vote to hire Gearhart as next UA chancellor

By The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

University of Arkansas system trustees voted unanimously to hire G. David Gearhart as the Fayetteville campus' next chancellor at a meeting Friday in Little Rock.

"I pledge I will do all I can to provide an administration that has a combination of academic vision, inspirational leadership, a strong commitment to financial viability, a climate of openness and tolerance and acceptance of all peoples of diverse backgrounds that will accelerate the progress of the University of Arkansas," Gearhart told the board after being selected.

Gearhart, 55, was the school's vice chancellor for university advancement and an education professor.

Gearhart said he looks forward to his new job and plans to increase resources for the school, raise diversity numbers among students and faculty and make the campus more "student friendly."

Gearhart will succeed John A. White, who announced earlier this month he would retire from the chancellor's position.

G. David Gearhart

UA System President B. Alan Sugg told the campus faculty and the Faculty Senate on Wednesday that he talked to a range of people inside and outside the campus about his instinct that Gearhart was right for the job and received "strong support."

"I tell you what, Dave Gearhart is one of the most talented administrators in the nation," he said.

Gearhart has served as a vice chancellor since 1998. A native of Fayetteville, he also is graduate of the university. He will be paid about $280,000 in his new position, university system President B. Alan Sugg said.

Read tomorrow's Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for full details.

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